People Before Profit TD Gino Kenny has been nominated to chair the Joint Committee on Drug Use after previous chair Deputy Micheal Mc Namama stood down after being elected to the European parliament in July. The special committee was set up after the Citizen’s Assembly on Drug Use made a series of recommendations on the future of drug policy in Ireland. The committee began its work in March and will finalise its report at the end of the year.
Deputy Kenny who has campaigned for drug policy reform said, “ It’s an honour to have been nominated by the Dail Independent Group to chair this extremely important committee. It’s clear from the recommendations from the Citizen’s Assembly and public opinion that the present laws around drug policy must change. A health led approach rather than a criminalisation approach will see better outcomes for society in general. I’m looking forward to hearing from the many groups, advocates and communities around the country that have been greatly affected by this issue”.
